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November 2023 — Volume XXIX, Number 6 — Published by the Georgia Native Plant Society
Our 2023 Plant of the Year, Monarda punctata (spotted beebalm).
Vote for GNPS 2024 Plant of the Year!
We are pleased to announce the nominees for the 2024 GNPS Plant of the Year:
Ceanothus americanus, New Jersey tea
Concoclinium coelestinum, blue mistflower
Helianthus microcephalus, small-headed sunflower
Impatiens capensis, jewelweed
Silphium asteriscus, starry rosinweed
Solidago caesia, blue-stemmed goldenrod
Thanks to everyone who participated by nominating their favorite. Voting is now open and will continue through November 30th. You can learn more about the nominees here on the website, and you can go to the voting page here and help your favorite plant rise to the top.
I was driving along a highway in late October and noticed that yellow asters were reaching from the cracks in the concrete median towards the fast lane, blowing madly in the artificial breeze of the speeding vehicles. I was both surprised to see that they were still blooming and thrilled with how tenacious these native plants had become. This roadside species of yellow aster, often called goldenaster or camphorweed, is a gangly, native annual called Heterotheca subaxillaris (Hetero-thee-ka sub-axil-laris).
This species has good statewide distribution, so most of you may have seen it in fall. Like most annuals, this species makes abundant seed. After the flowers fade, the seedheads will puff out like mini, stiff dandelions – a familiar characteristic of plants in the Asteraceae family. Birds and small mammals use it for food in winter, and any extra seeds will find their way to concrete cracks and roadsides.
Take Action for Native Plants and Habitats
Our native plant populations are declining, becoming fewer, fragmented, and imperiled by threats such as extreme weather, competition from invasive species, and development. The majority of federally threatened and endangered species are plants - yet they receive less than 5% of federal and state recovery funding.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) will help with both recovering these species and preventing many others from needing such listings. RAWA will increase support for states and Tribal nations to recover not only declining wildlife populations, but also the thousands of imperiled native plants in the United States. Where plants are included in State Wildlife Action Plans, there will be additional funding incentives that increase the currently limited funds that are provided for plant conservation.
Interested in learning more? Check out the Plant Conservationists’ Virtual Rally on Monday, November 13 at 2:00 p.m. to hear perspectives from leaders in plant conservation.
Statewide Volunteer Opportunities
TikTok Content Creation
GNPS is growing its social media presence to educate and inform a broader audience. We are looking for help converting content into short videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels and Facebook Stories. This is a great opportunity for a digital creative who wants to put their social media skills to work for good. If you are interested in lending your time and talent, please contact Executive Director, Nikki Belmonte, at nbelmonte@gnps.org.
Chapter Updates
Athens-East Piedmont
Gardening with “Less Than Common” Native Plants, November 12
Join us for our monthly meeting on Sunday, November 12 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens for a presentation on the ethics and responsibilities when gardening with less common native plants. Speaker, Mincy Moffett, Listing and Recovery Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will discuss the issues that must be considered to make sure we are doing what is best for the plants
Holiday Potluck and Social, December 13
Finish up the year with a festive gathering and share your favorite dish with our chapter on Wednesday, December 13 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Information on how to sign up will be sent to members closer to the date.
Fall Volunteer Projects
On Saturday, November 4, join us for a workday at the Family Protection Center Solar Array Native Plant Garden in Athens. Time and details to be announced.
A November workday will be scheduled to restore the native plant garden along the Firefly Trail in Winterville. Stay tuned through our chapter emails!
Coastal Plain
Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in Southeastern U.S.
Heather Brasell, immediate past president and current education committee chair, has recently been selected as Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for the Southeast United States. This makes her one of only four finalists for the National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year award. The award is from the American Tree Farm System, which promotes effective stewardship of privately owned forests and woodlands in order to certify a chain of custody from forests managed for sustainable timber production to the final timber products. Landowners need to show that, in addition to producing timber, they protect clean water and air, maintain good wildlife habitats, and develop opportunities for appropriate recreation.
Heather’s work in plant conservation and environmental education was recognized as a valuable contribution to public awareness of sustainable forest management. The more Heather worked in the woods, the deeper was her love of native plants and appreciation for natural plant communities. She has collaborated with partners in GNPS, Georgia Botanical Society, Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and similar organizations to share her passion for native plants and good forest stewardship with people from diverse backgrounds: children, teachers, botanists, and landowners.
Fringed Campion
Amerson River Park Native Plant Garden Fall Workdays
Workdays for the ongoing improvements at the Amerson River Park Native Plant Garden are scheduled for Sunday, November 5 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Wildflower Hike, December 7
Join us for a Wildflower Hike at Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area in Houston County on Thursday, December 7 at 9:00 a.m.
Annual Intown Atlanta Chapter Meeting, November 12
Join us for our chapter's annual meeting on Sunday, November 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the large conference room on the first floor of Georgia Tech’s Kendeda Living Building*. Here is what you can expect:
An update on chapter activities and the 2024 chapter board election;
A welcome from Nikki Belmonte, GNPS State Executive Director;
A panel discussion on lawn conversion featuring local native landscaping professionals Tres Crow (Roots Down, Green Box Homes) and Mandy Fisher (Gentle Gardener).
New Intown Atlanta yard signs available for $11 each (includes sales tax).
This is a family-friendly gathering, open to both members and prospective members. Light refreshments will be provided. Register here if you plan on attending.
*The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design is a "living building" that generates more energy than it uses and offers practical solutions to benefit our planet. Surrounded by 8 acres of green space and native plants, the Kendeda Building site captures rainwater, utilizes leaf-litter mulch, and demonstrates other key sustainable gardening practices.
Intown Atlanta Native Garden Tour Attracts 400 People!
On Saturday, September 30th, the chapter hosted a tour featuring five certified native gardens. This year's featured gardens were located in the neighborhoods of Morningside, Virginia-Highlands, Decatur, and Avondale Estates. The tour welcomed 400 visitors from as far away as Macon and Milton, including 190 non-members. If you missed it, take a look at the tour brochure.
The Edwards and Pakchar garden in Virginia-Highlands.
North Georgia Mountains
Fall Meetings in the Mountains
The fall season kicked off with a presentation at the September meeting on the interactions between amphibians and native plants by board member and biology professor, Jonathan Micancin. Participants were able to visit an area of Young Harris College campus where students have been removing non-native plants to allow salamanders to reestablish. The October presentation was given by Alex LoCastro with the Georgia Audubon Society on preparing areas to better accommodate birds and other pollinators, focusing on the need for diversity in habitats to support the insects and birds.
Alex LoCastro of Georgia Audubon talks about the importance of plant diversity for wildlife.
Join us on Saturday, November 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Haralson Memorial Civic Center in Blairsville for a modified presentation on the idea of Homegrown National Park by chapter president, Teryn Romaine. There will not be a meeting in December.
North Metro Atlanta
Annual Chapter Meeting, December 9
Mark your calendars! The North Metro Chapter will host its annual meeting on December 9th at the Prince of Peace Lutheran church in Johns Creek.
Old Rucker Farm Native Plant Habitat Workdays
Join us for a workday at the habitat on the farm! We will be weeding and mulching the garden. If you plan on attending, please sign up at the following link: Saturday, November 25, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Heritage Park Workdays
Habitat restoration work continues at Heritage Park in central Cobb County with tasks including invasive removal, native plantings and garden maintenance. Learn more below:
The West Georgia Chapter’s annual meeting was held on October 17. Officers for 2024 will be Elyse Wheeler – President; Frank Bennett – Vice President; and Jackie Miller – Secretary/Treasurer. Other Board positions include Ann Ethridge and Diane Rooks as Co-Directors of Education; Carol Hight as Director of Buffalo Creek Trail; Gary Frizzell as Director of Programming; Frank Bennett as Director of Rescue; and Scott Maxwell and Jacob Porter as Members at Large.
Holiday Party and Twig ID Contest
The Chapter’s annual holiday party will be held on Tuesday December 12 at the Carroll County Agricultural Education Center. Please join us for refreshments, door prizes, and Mike Strickland’s devilishly delightful twig identification contest. Snacking and socializing begins at 6:30 with presentation at 7:00.
New Amenities for “The Nest”
The Nest is a portion of the Buffalo Creek Trails tract—the chapter’s 40-acre habitat restoration area—that serves as a bird sanctuary, with mature trees, understory, berry bushes, and water sources. Chapter volunteers are in the process of adding a walking path and bench so that visitors will be able to enter The Nest and sit quietly to watch and listen to the birds. Everyone is invited to the weekly volunteer work sessions, which are held Tuesday mornings, weather permitting. Please see the Chapter’s Facebook page for information about work schedule and activities.
West Georgia Chapter members Dave Chamberlain and Amy Rhoads working on The Nest.
Georgia Gives on Giving Tuesday is November 28th!
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement where people and nonprofits team up to transform their communities through giving. GNPS programs are transforming Georgia's landscape every day - let’s keep growing! Support our programs by joining the movement and making a donation on November 28th. Mark your calendars and be a part of #GAgives on #GivingTuesday!
Add Georgia Gives Day to your calendar so you don’t forget to join in:
While summer blooms are behind us, the holiday season is around the corner. Brighten up your day - or someone else’s - with spotted beebalm, our 2023 Plant of the Year! Browse our online store for a variety of styles and colors. Each design has both 100% cotton and 60/40 cotton poly blends available - click on “size and fabric info” on each product’s page for the specific details.
A young enthusiast wearing a youth unisex shirt in light blue.
Georgia Native Plant Society PO Box 422085 Atlanta, GA 30342 (770) 343-6000 Unsubscribe
